Page 88 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine
P. 88
HONORING SENIORS
PASSION PERSEVERANCE
PERFECTION
Gary Sherrod - Champion Trapshooter
by Jane Bromley
shooting a single or double- 15-20 events per year for the last
barreled shotgun at clay five decades.
targets thrown from a “trap
house” 16-27 yards in front His dedication has paid off. The
of the shooter. Amateur Trapshooting Association
inducted Gary Sherrod into their
Most athletes, including Hall of Fame in 2018. “Gary carded
those who compete his first 100 in doubles (two targets
professionally, are lucky to released simultaneously) in May
participate for a decade or 1978, while his first 200 came in
two. Gary Sherrod has been 1982. He made it to the 27-yard
competing at his favorite line in 1974, and on June 20, 1996,
sport for over 50 years. he blasted 100 from the back fence
for the first time, completing his
When his older girls were ATA Grand Slam. (When a person
younger, they remember hits 100% of the targets, they
ntegrity. Determination. trap-shooting events meant must shoot from farther out - a
Commitment. Passion. These are “girls’ weekends” while Gary and “handicap”. The maximum distance
Ia few of the words three sisters Les traveled all over the country is 27 yards - the back fence.) He has
use to describe their father, Gary to competitions. The sisters would done it five other times since then.
Sherrod. The local cotton farmer stay home with their mother and During the 2016 Grand American,
was born in Lubbock County in 1943 grandmother and enjoy shopping, Gary’s perfect score from the back
to J.B and Maudie Pearl Sherrod eating out and sleeping over at fence earned him top honors in
and graduated from Roosevelt High the grandparents’ home. They the Trap & Field Handicap. At age
School in 1961. He married his high didn’t appreciate their father’s 72, he was the oldest to break
school sweetheart, Kay Lawson 55 investment in the sport until they 100 from the 27 at the historic
years ago, and immediately went to were much older. Later, after their tournament. It also added his name
work on the family farm. third daughter was born, Kay was to the Grand American Grand
able to accompany Gary, and the Slam list, having broken 100 in
Young Gary was passionate about youngest sister, Tiffany, says she doubles during the 2005 Grand and
drag-racing and accumulated a barn was “a trapshooting brat” because
full of trophies and medals in that she attended so many of the carding seven double-centuries at
sport, but, early in their marriage, competitions. The sisters agree that the tournament.” At age 74, Gary
his wife convinced him that it was their mother has always been Gary’s broke his own record, shooting 100
too risky for a man with two little “biggest cheerleader”, whether straight targets from the 27-yard
girls at home. Gary complied, supporting him on the road or line. The ATA Hall of Fame is a pretty
and with the encouragement of holding down the fort at home. Kay elite group. In the 122-year history
his father-in-law, Les Lawson, has said she was so thankful Gary of the sport, only 179 people have
he discovered another passion had trapshooting because “farming received the honor.
– trapshooting. Similar to skeet can be so stressful.” Tonya estimated Hall of Fame recognition is a rare
shooting, trap shooting involves that her father has participated in honor in every sport, and the award
88 Lubbock Senior Link
